How do I apply for TAP?
When you have completed the FAFSA-on-the-Web, the confirmation page will give you a link to the TAP-on-the-Web application for New York State financial aid. Before completing the TAP application, you will be asked to establish a PIN (Personal Identification Number) for TAP. This PIN will allow you to complete your application later, access your application information, or make changes, if necessary.
After establishing your PIN, you will be able to complete your TAP application. The TAP on-line form will be pre-filled with some of the information from the FAFSA you completed on-line. Review this data, supply any missing information, and submit the form. Follow the instructions provided.
If you have submitted a paper FAFSA by mail, you will be mailed an Express TAP Application. Like TAP-on-the-Web, the Express TAP Application will be pre-filled with some of your FAFSA data. Like the on-line form, it is your responsibility to check the pre-filled data, complete the form, sign it, and return it to HESC. Follow the instructions provided with the form.
What are the eligibility requirements?
To be eligible for TAP you must:
- Be a legal resident of New York State (that is, you must have lived in the State for at least one year prior to the first term for which you are seeking payment).
- Be a US citizen, permanent resident or hold an I-94 visa as a refugee, paroled refugee or conditional entrant.
- Be matriculated (enrolled in a program leading to a degree).
- Be enrolled full-time, that is, enrolled for at least 12 credits or equated credits that meet the requirements of your curriculum/major. In your first TAP semester, you must have at least 3 degree credits as part of your full-time course load. After your first semester, you must have at least 6 degree credits as part of your full-time course load.
- Be enrolled part-time in at least 6 but fewer than 12 equated credits with at least 3 of these being degree credits. To receive Part-time TAP (or PTAP), you must have already earned 24 degree credits and have at least a 2.00 GPA.
- Remain in good academic standing for New York State financial aid programs by meeting Academic Progress standards and demonstrating Program Pursuit each semester you receive TAP.
- Meet the economic criteria.
- Have a high school diploma, GED, or received a passing score on an approved ability-to-benefit test.
- Not in default of federal student loans or loans that HESC guaranteed.
I received TAP last year, do I have to apply again?
TAP has a multi-year application process, so students who have received TAP in the previous year may not be required to submit a new online or paper Express TAP Application (ETA). However, the student must submit a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Renewal FAFSA for the new award year to be included in the TAP multi-year process. Based upon the data reported on the FAFSA, students will receive an award certificate from TAP with eligibility and award information if certain criteria are met. The student should verify that all information is correct. A TAP change form is included with the letter, and the student should submit the change form if any of the information is incorrect.
How much TAP can I receive each semester?
The amount of TAP you receive depends on your family income, the number of family members attending college full-time, the number of semesters you have received TAP, and the size of the annual appropriation for the program. Maximum TAP awards can be equal to but not greater than the full tuition charge at the college. State budgetary restrictions can further limit TAP awards to a portion of your tuition.
For how many semesters can I receive TAP?
For an associate degree you may receive TAP for up to 6 semesters. You will be limited to 6 semesters of TAP even if you change majors or transfer to another community college. When you enroll in a 4 year college program at a senior college, you will become eligible for an additional 2 full-time semesters of TAP bringing your undergraduate total to 8 semesters. If you are enrolled in a special program, such as College Discovery, you may receive up to 10 semesters (or the equivalent) of TAP as an undergraduate.
Can I get TAP for repeating a course?
If you repeat a course that you previously passed, you may not count the repeated course towards full-time enrollment for TAP purposes. This means that in order to receive TAP in a semester where you may be repeating a course you passed previously that you have, in addition to the repeated course, at least 12 credits or equated credits of non-repeated courses. If you repeat a course that you previously failed, you may include that course towards full-time enrollment for TAP purposes.
Can I get TAP for remedial courses?
Remedial courses may be counted towards either full-time or part time enrollment for TAP purposes. However, to qualify for TAP, you must always be registered for a certain number of degree credit courses.
Where I could I go for more information about my TAP award?
The HESC Customer Communication Center can be reached by telephone toll-free at 1-888-NYS-HESC (1-888-697-4372) or 1-518-473-1574 during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday. The toll-free number for the telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) is 1-800-445-5234. The Customer Communication Center answers general inquiries. If you are calling about your TAP grant or student loan, please have your account number ready. You could also reach them on the web by going to www.hesc.org.
If I am planning on attending college out-of-state should I fill out the TAP application?
Yes. You never know if your plans will change and having the TAP application on file will speed up the process if you decide to attend college in New York State.
I don't think that I will be eligible for a TAP grant. Why should I bother to complete the form?
It never hurts to apply and let New York State decide whether you are eligible for a TAP grant. The application is easy and you just might qualify. Many students who are not eligible for Pell Grants still qualify for TAP.
I missed the link to the TAP on the Web site when I completed my FAFSA online. Can I get to it any other way?
Yes. You must wait until you receive either an email or a postcard with the web address of TAP on the Web. You can then set up a PIN number which will allow you to access the TAP on the Web site and you can complete your TAP application and have it submitted to HESC.
